SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria (SOSCVN) has unveiled the second phase of its Eco Champions Project to empower young people to drive gender-responsive and inclusive climate action across communities nationwide.
Country Director, Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse, said this on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Abuja during the close-out ceremony of Phase I and the unveiling of Phase II, highlighting youth-led solutions for climate sustainability.
“The first phase of the Eco Champions Project showed us what is possible when we trust and invest in young people,” Erhumwunse said, noting the emergence of bold youth-led climate solutions.
“We saw young leaders rise with bold ideas, practical solutions, and unwavering determination.
“We saw young women take up space, speak with confidence, and lead conversations on sustainability and resilience,” he said.
He said the initiative proved that climate action began at the grassroots, adding that communities now understood that environmental action starts where people live, work and raise their families.
“We witnessed communities begin to understand that climate action is not distant or abstract; it starts where we live, work, and raise our children,” he said.
Erhumwunse said that advocacy, awareness campaigns, capacity building and engagement had shown that young people were key drivers of development rather than passive beneficiaries of aid.
He said Phase II, themed “Empowering Youth for Gender-Responsive Climate Action,” would strengthen community-driven responses and deepen youth participation in environmental decision-making processes.
He described climate change as both an environmental and human issue affecting livelihoods, education, health, safety and the future of children and young people across communities.
“The new phase will empower young activists, particularly young women in vulnerable situations, to lead climate initiatives while engaging communities in decision-making processes.
“By placing young people at the centre of action and decision-making, this project seeks to change the reality that those most affected are often least represented,” he added.
He reaffirmed commitment to gender inclusion, emphasising that effective climate action could not exclude women, girls and vulnerable groups in society.
Erhumwunse urged government, civil society and the private sector to create enabling environments for youth participation and innovation in climate action and environmental advocacy.
Chief Programme Officer, Mr. Adelopo Ayodeji, said the first phase reached 18 million people through sensitisation, school-based education and media engagement, and encouraged youths to join the next cohort.
Dr Helen Idiong of Plan International said youth-led climate action strengthened girls’ rights, noting that modest funding could drive impactful community change and inspire sustainable initiatives nationwide.
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs representative, Mr. Kingsley Obiorah, Principal Community Development Officer, pledged continued support for initiatives promoting climate action and reducing environmental impacts on society.
Ms. Awele Ikobi-Anyali, Head of Legal, National Council on Climate Change representative, called for stronger awareness creation and implementation of environmental protection measures.
Lagos Environment Commissioner, Mr. Tokunboh Wahab, said environmental policies must be embedded in youth consciousness, urging adoption of waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Wahab, represented by Mrs. Monsurat Banire, said collective action, not policy alone, would determine environmental sustainability for future generations.
Outgoing Eco Champion representative, Miss Hannah Omokhaye, said the project trained more than 100 teachers to inspire students toward climate-related careers.
Other activities included panel discussions and awards presentation to beneficiaries of the first phase of the Eco Champions Project.
By Justina Auta